This week, Entertainment Weekly broke the exclusive news on the covers and titles of the final two books in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The 39 Clues, including Margaret Peterson Haddix’s thrilling conclusion to the series. The final book will be called INTO THE GAUNTLET (Scholastic Press), and will be published on August 31, 2010. To see the article, click here.

Margaret Peterson Haddix’s FOUND (Simon & Schuster, 2008), the first book in her series The Missing, won the 2009-2010 Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award, for Grades 6-8. Haddix had previously won the award for AMONG THE HIDDEN, the first book in her series The Shadow Children, in 2002.

Kat Falls’ debut novel, DARK LIFE (Scholastic Press, May 2010), has made a big splash with reviewers. Kirkus calls the dystopian fantasy “a thrilling conversion of the classics to one of our newer frontiers,” while Publishers Weekly calls it an “action-packed aquatic adventure” that “warrants further exploration.” And VOYA sums it all up, naming it “a definite must-read.”

We’d like to wish Gigi Lane a happy birthday! Adrienne Maria Vrettos’s THE EXILE OF GIGI LANE (McElderry Books, 2010)—a smart satire of high school popularity, described as Heathers meets Bring It On—officially goes on sale today. Congratulations, Adrienne!

Seriously silly Alan Katz, author of the bestselling SILLY DILLY songbooks and the poetry collection OOPS!, is one of 30 authors taking part in 30 Poets/30 Days, a celebration of children’s poetry during National Poetry Month, sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. For more information, click here, and for 30 Poets/30 Days activities, click here.

Who knew that a fake boyfriend could cause so many real problems? Susie Day, author of SERAFINA67 *URGENTLY REQUIRES LIFE*, that’s who. Day’s second novel, MY INVISIBLE BOYFRIEND (Scholastic Press, 2010), publishes today—and that’s no April Fool’s joke!

It’s a perfect day for a kiss. That’s because international bestseller and former UK Children’s Laureate Jacqueline Wilson’s latest novel, KISS (Roaring Brook Press, 2010), publishes today.

Congratulations to Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord, whose debut picture book, HOT ROD HAMSTER (Scholastic Press, 2010), illustrated by Derek Anderson, just zoomed onto the Publishers Weekly Bestseller List. Vroom, vroom!

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson’s picture book about the life of deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, BAD NEWS FOR OUTLAWS, has been named as a finalist for the 2009 ForeWord Book of the Year Awards in the juvenile nonfiction category. ForeWord’s Book of the Year Awards were designed to discover distinctive books from independent publishers in a variety of genres.

Stephen Messer’s debut middle-grade fantasy adventure, WINDBLOWNE (Random House, May 2010)—about a boy named Oliver who’s transported to alternate versions of his tree-filled and windswept world on a magical kite—got a great review from Kirkus. The publication calls it “an inventive debut fantasy, set in multiple worlds linked by trees and winds....Messer constructs a tale that moves along at a powerful, steady pace to a climactic faceoff, and Oliver’s realization that the gateway to worlds is open for those who can truly listen to the wind’s voices sparks a memorable sea change in his self-image.”

We’re thrilled to report that R.J. Anderson’s FAERY REBELS: SPELL HUNTER has been shortlisted for the Canadian Library Association’s Children’s Book of the Year, along with 8 other books for young readers. In addition, the Ontario Library Association has named the book one of it’s 10 “best bets” for children based on its literary and artistic merit, as well as its appeal to young readers. For more information on the CLA announcement, please click here.

Author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, whose picture book BAD NEWS FOR OUTLAWS recently won the Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award, is the cover story of the March 2010 issue of School Library Journal. The article highlights how Vaunda tracked down the true story of legendary hero Bass Reeves in a one-on-one interview. To read the article, click here.

Congratulations to Margery Cuyler, whose book, THE LITTLE DUMP TRUCK (Henry Holt & Co., 2009) was named a Best of the Best Book by the Chicago Public Library. For more information, click here.

As the temperature dips this winter, why not make everything SWEET AND SUNNY? Coleen Murtagh Paratore’s SWEET AND SUNNY (Scholastic Press, 2010)—the follow-up to last year’s SUNNY HOLIDAY, about a girl with spirit to spare—officially pubs today. This time her mission is to create a Kid’s Day and turn it into a national holiday. For more information, click here.

Readers, start your engines! New York Times bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning author Cynthia Lord’s HOT ROD HAMSTER (Scholastic Press, 2010), illustrated by Derek Anderson, officially goes on sale today. This little guy is sure to race his way into young readers’ hearts. For more information, click here.

As reported in Variety, The Gotham Group has optioned film rights to Kat Falls’ debut, DARK LIFE, to be published in May 2010 by Scholastic. Set in a near-future world in which rising ocean levels and natural catastrophes have led some people to homestead on the ocean floor, DARK LIFE follows an underwater teen boy and a surface girl who join forces to uncover a government conspiracy. Gotham's Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman will produce. Gregory Little, who brought the novel into the company, will shepherd the project and will also serve as a producer. "We fell in love with the idea of an underwater Western," said Goldsmith-Vein, who praised Falls for creating a "thoroughly original world." To read the full article, click here.

New York Times bestselling and Printz Award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean’s THE DEATH-DEFYING PEPPER ROUX (HarperCollins), which has received four starred reviews, officially publishes today. “Pepper, in all his endearing innocence and goodness, will capture readers’ hearts,” says School Library Journal. We’re sure young readers will agree. To learn more about the book, click here.

Congratulations to Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, who is the 2010 Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award winner. Fittingly announced today—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—by the American Library Association, the award honors Nelson’s picture book, BAD NEWS FOR OUTLAWS: THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF BASS REEVES, DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL (Carolrhoda Books, 2009), illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.

Congratulations to Jackie Davies, whose young adult novel, LOST (Marshall Cavendish, 2009), has been garnering many accolades lately. The book was named a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in the Children’s and Young Adult category.

We’re happy to report that the audiobook of Amy Huntley’s THE EVERAFTER (Brilliance Audio), narrated by Tavia Gilbert, received a starred review in the latest edition of School Library Journal. “Huntley’s fabulous, haunting debut novel is a ghost story, a mystery, and a love story that creates a unique twist on one of life’s ponderables: what happens after we die?...This is as close as you can get to a full-cast narration with a solo voice.”

New York Times bestselling author Margaret Peterson Haddix will be appearing not only in bookstores, but on posters across her home state of Ohio. The State Library of Ohio is creating a series of READ posters featuring prominent Ohioans and some of their favorite books. A limited number of the posters are printed and are also available for downloading. To download a copy, click here.

Congratulations to Jackie Davies, whose novel, LOST (Marshall Cavendish, 2009), was named a 2009 Sydney Taylor Honor Book in the Teen Reader category. The Sydney Taylor Book Award honors new books for children and teens that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience, and is presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries.

We’d like to wish everyone a happy new year—and can’t think of a better way to kick off 2010 than with some kissing! Alan Katz’s TOO MUCH KISSING! (McElderry), that is. Watch out, Mom! Take heed, Dad! This latest collaboration from bestselling silly dilly superstars Katz and artist David Catrow rings in the year with a new collection of songs that hilariously express every child's feelings about their parents!